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Hiding in Plain SightThen I saw him out of the corner of my eye. He had approached from behind and was standing 30 yards to my right and glared in my direction. His eyes seemed to search through every inch of the grass that I lay in, trying to locate the rabbit that lured him in. I remained still, waited for his shoulder to appear in my scope and squeezed the trigger. As I made my way to the coyote, I couldn't help but to admire the ghillie suit that had kept me hidden so well among the grass and wonder why I hadn't tried this before.

Small Seeds + Small Plots = Big BucksLike many hunters, I can be a slow learner. We know that hunting food plots will increase our chances to get a big buck, but our attempts to create them have failed. But how many of us have a farm tractor or ATV in the garage? Is it possible to make a killer (no pun intended) honey hole food plot with small equipment, even hand-held power tools?

Reverse Slope GobblersI once read that the Duke of Wellington was notorious for utilizing reverse slopes when deploying his troops. The famous general, who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, would hide his forces on the far side of a hill or rise so that he could maneuver unseen, and ultimately conduct battle or ambush on his terms. If I didn't know better, I'd say the Duke was a turkey hunter.

Turkey Hunting: Scouting Early Equals Opening Day SuccessVery few hunting sports have grown as quickly as turkey hunting has in the last few decades. When I started turkey hunting, tagging a longbeard wasn't as difficult as it is today. Toms used to come running every time I let loose on my favorite box call. If I made a mistake or two on a tom, most of the time he could be called right back into shotgun range. Gaining permission to hunt was a piece of cake.

Finders KeepersWalking through the woods looking for dropped whitetail deer antlers, or shed hunting, might not conjure up visions of excitement equal to that of an actual big game hunt, but anyone that has tried it would probably tell you different. The thrill of finding the sheds of a buck that you have seen or pursued can be exhilarating, and knowing that he is still out there can certainly bring a sense of relief and anticipation for the next hunting season. Each one found can reveal information about the condition and location of the mysterious buck that carried it proudly just a few months ago.

Deer Rifle MakeoverJust about every deer hunter I know has a rifle that he or she just won't part with. It might have been there for an exceptional hunt or memorable trip. Perhaps it was a special gift or the first rifle they ever bought. I have one like that too - but though it tugged at my heartstrings, each season, the option of retiring it was looking more and more attractive. Sure it was a well-made, quality rifle, but it had also seen better days.

Dispelling the Crossbow MythCrossbows have always been controversial. Nobles have outlawed their ownership; provinces and states have restricted or forbid their use; bowhunting organizations have decried them as unsporting. So what is it about this hunting tool that induces such strong opinions? Why do some bowhunters sneer at the very mention of the word?

How We Think - Affects Our HuntingMany articles have been written about hunting tactics, equipment, clothing, areas, regions, the various animals, guides, preparation, and so on. And while all these things are important, I find that there is something else that comes into play, less talked about, but equal or more in importance that, in my experience, unleashes greater success and richer hunting experiences. In fact, I find that there is something else that can even trump where you are on the learning curve, or on the equipment curve, or on the experience curve, or whether or not you have a guide or experienced partner. It's how we think. What goes on in our minds may well determine whether or not we 'beat the odds' and come back with an enjoyable experience.

Late Season WhitetailsSome hunting seasons are short lived, and others feel like they drag on forever. For me, this year's whitetail season was the latter. If you're passionate about deer hunting, you're probably one of thousands of hunters tormented by a common dilemma - whether or not to hit the switch early in the season. If you have limited time to hunt or are restricted by the number of deer you can take in a given season, this decision can be daunting. It comes down to a simple matter of goals. As every whitetail hunter knows, to kill a big one you must be willing to let everything else walk. This can mean waiting until the very last minute to capitalize on a rare and often fleeting shot opportunity.

The Super Bucks: Typical CategoryThe true superbuck is a one-in-a-million creature which is perhaps the culmination of perfect circumstances in terms of genetics, habitat and nutrition or perhaps a function of natural experimentation gone awry. It inspires dreams and passions in the mind and soul of hunters and obsessions in the spirit of collectors who aspire to own the biggest racks at any price.

Cold Weather HuntingCold-weather hunting is not for the faint of heart. I've seen guys throw in the towel after only a day or two, canceling their trip of a lifetime because Mother Nature dropped the mercury into the toilet. Sub-zero temperatures can make the outdoors a miserable place to be. Add wind and humidity to the equation, and things get nasty. Sure you can always hunt a heated blind, but if you need to brave the elements, some planning is in order. Gear up properly and the cold can be manageable. Venture out unprepared and you may as well write off your hunt.

Bucks in the RainThe moment you have waited for all year is on the horizon, the beginning of
another archery season will soon be at hand, and you're feeling pretty good
about yourself and what you have done to prepare for the new season. You took
your compound to the archery shop had a safety check done on it, greased the
cables replaced that worn serving and waxed the string.

Six Tips for Better Shot PlacementHunt long enough and you'll see some weird things. My own list of odd occurrences seems endless. I've seen an arrow pass square through the center of a bear's chest with the bruin collapsing immediately. Then, not 20 minutes later, that same bear leapt to his feet and scampered away, never to be seen again. On another occasion I witnessed a fellow shoot a moose that collapsed on the spot.

10 Steps for a Successful HuntI have been hunting big game, mostly deer, for over forty years and I am still surprised by the lack of preparation most hunters take before the season starts. Most of my buddies simply throw some gear in the back of a truck on opening day and head for the woods. By the way, most of my friends are not very successful hunters either, because they don't do their homework or fieldwork. See, some serious planning is needed to insure your hunting efforts pay off and you get that big buck you've been after. Well, I suggest we prepare for our big game hunt both at home and in the field, and perhaps months in advance.

Hunting Early Season Mule DeerAsk most North American hunters and nine out of ten will probably say that early season mule deer hunting is for archers. As a committed bowhunter I've spent many early season days in the mountains, along river valleys and in the prairie grasslands chasing mule deer. It is indeed a great opportunity to catch deer relatively uneducated. But in recent years I've been hearing more about gun hunting these great deer in the early season. Aside from opportunity, the early season also presents several unique challenges. The heat alone is usually enough to keep most of us out of the woods.

Alligator Hunting: Big Business Across the SouthStretched taut, the rope led into the dark water, holding a prehistoric animal in an extremely bad mood at the other end. The guide snatched the cord with a rake-like pole and pulled it toward the flatboat. Grabbing the rope, he pulled with all his might. Tangled in the aquatic vegetation, the prehistoric reptile erupted from the murk, snapping at anything it could find. Flinging vegetation and spray, the gator attempts a "death roll." Unable to chew, alligators snap their heads and roll repeatedly to rip prey apart with their razor teeth or destroy enemies. The powerful tail, almost as dangerous as the toothy jaws, whipped the black water into froth.

Preparing for a Caribou HuntYou've saved the funds, cleared it with your spouse, and booked the hunt. Your caribou hunting dream is about to become a reality this fall. But between now and then, you've got a thing or two to do.
Luckily, planning for an adventure like this is a whole lot of fun. It builds up the anticipation, gives you excuses to purchase additional equipment, and prompts you to visit the range more often. The excitement grows exponentially as that great day approaches.

Tinkle up a BuckI have been hunting in West Virginia over the last several years and during that time I have had the great pleasure of getting to know and become friends with an elderly mountain man who has killed more than his share of trophy bucks. During one of my trips to visit him on his secluded farm I arrived while he was working in his barn. As I arrived the barn doors were standing open and I was astonished to see the number of large whitetail deer racks he had tacked to the inside of them. Never in my life had I seen that many trophy racks in one place. I had to find out whatever hunting secret it was that he knew to be able to kill that many quality bucks.

To Hunt the Grizzled BearWorking my way along a fast-flowing river, I glimpsed a patch of brown through the trees. Digging at something along the river's edge, there was my grizzly. As a resident hunter, I'd waited eight years before finally drawing a coveted tag in Alberta. It was early May and there were still patches of snow in low-lying shady areas. As quickly as possible I extended the legs on my bipod, lay out in a prone position and centered the crosshairs of my Leupold on his chest. At this time of year it's especially important to ensure that the bear is alone.

Cry Wolf: Guide to Wolves and Wolf Hunting OpportunitiesAh, the howl of the wolf. Is any sound in nature more primordial? That eerie call, echoing off the spruce and rock faces of a frozen northern lake on a frigid winter's night, can rouse a man from sleep and fill his head with images of tracks in the snow and gore on the ice.
A wolf is a paradox. On one hand, it is a fearsome predator; on the other, a social animal that, when caught relaxed, is not all that different from the family dog.

As hog hunting gains popularity across much of the U.S. more and more hunters are asking where they should go to find the biggest hogs and trophies. I recently read an interesting article in "Boar Hunter Magazine", perhaps the preeminent hog hunting journal out there now. This very informative article was penned by Mr Jim Smith, a very accomplished hunter over a very wide range of areas and game. I am simply providing some information that should interest serious hog hunters among us. Mr Smith...